Singapore fleet review reaffirms friendships

has joined warships from navies all around the world for the Singaporean Navy’s 50th Anniversary International Fleet Review. The fleet review is a long-standing naval tradition that is practised by navies all over the world where ships present for ceremonial inspection. The first fleet review recorded dates back to 1415 in Britain when Henry V reviewed his fleet before sailing to France. The activity allows the host Navy to reaffirm its loyalty and allegiance to its sovereign and the state. It originated as an inspection of battle readiness but today, the assembling of warships serves the function of naval diplomacy, as it strengthens the sense of solidarity shared by participating navies and seafarers of the world. President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam inspected the Guard of Honour before he boarded an open-top vehicle to review the docked warships. On completion of th...